Sunnyvale, U.S. - Nokia and Sony Pictures today announced a new multi-year worldwide agreement whereby Sony Pictures will use Nokia OZO hardware and software tools to explore the creative potential of Virtual Reality production and distribution. The studio will also integrate the OZO Player SDK into Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's Privilege Plus app, available through Google Play.

"VR is a fast growing medium that is rapidly changing how we communicate and bringing a deeper connection to how we experience content," said Paul Melin, vice president of Digital Media at Nokia Technologies. "We're thrilled to partner with Sony Pictures and its talented storytellers to apply our technology and create experiences only possible with OZO - like 3D 360 live VR broadcast."

Nokia will collaborate with Sony Pictures and provide equipment and VR technology to support the creation of special VR content. Sony Pictures will also leverage OZO Live to transport fans to Sony Pictures events that they couldn't otherwise attend. OZO Live allows content creators to produce fully immersive live experiences through 3D 360 degree video and audio playback technologies.

"Partnerships with cutting edge technology companies like Nokia are critical as we develop the market for VR experiences and build scale in our production and distribution efforts," said Pete Wood, SVP, Digital Sales at Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Scot Barbour, VP, Production Technology at Sony Pictures added,"Nokia's OZO camera and its suite of professional tools are an excellent solution for content creators because they seamlessly integrate into established production processes and workflows, and enable the real time capture and broadcast of VR content."

While the OZO solution offers many advantages for content creators, it also extends several benefits for playback. OZO Player SDK will be integrated into Sony's Privilege Plus app, which will bring unique content straight to fans. The OZO Player SDK allows professionals to create amazing VR apps and experiences on any major platform. The SDK supports the creation of immersive apps with the highest quality playback of OZO content including 360 spatial audio, while also providing support for standard VR video and audio formats.

About Sony Pictures EntertainmentSony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

About OZOOZO is a first-of-its-kind professional VR tool that integrates eight sensors and eight microphones and exports a single file, thus eliminating the need for complicated rigs, wires, long setup times, and synching and swapping of separate memory cards. Designed to remove technical barriers so content creators can focus on being creative, OZO requires just one simple output cable and one single file to store all video and audio data, all in perfect sync. The OZO Software Suite is a complete professional production package that includes OZO Creator, OZO Remote, OZO Preview, OZO Live and OZO Player SDK expanding the human possibilities of the ever-evolving world of technology. With purchase of the camera, professionals get OZO Creator, OZO Remote, and OZO Preview. Nokia is also running a promotion until end of the year, making for a limited time OZO Live available for free to OZO camera customers.

About NokiaNokia is a global leader in the technologies that connect people and things. Powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs and Nokia Technologies, the company is at the forefront of creating and licensing the technologies that are increasingly at the heart of our connected lives.

With state-of-the-art software, hardware and services for any type of network, Nokia is uniquely positioned to help communication service providers, governments, and large enterprises deliver on the promise of 5G, the Cloud and the Internet of Things. http://nokia.com